Family Sponsorship

Canada has earned itself a reputation as one of the most open and inclusive countries in the world to immigrate to and that policy extends to the families of Canadian citizens and permanent residents living abroad.

Family reunification is a pillar of Canadian immigration policy. Several family sponsorship programs are available in Canada covering spouses, partners, parents, and even grandparents of eligible citizens and permanent residents. Family sponsorship aims to facilitate easier expedited application processing because Canada believes families shouldn’t have to suffer living apart.

We wholeheartedly support family reunification and have helped countless families help bring their loved ones to Canada. If you need support navigating the Family Sponsorship Program, we can help.

Eligibility for Family Sponsorship Canada: Who Can be Sponsored

Immediate family members of qualifying citizens and Canadian permanent residents can act as sponsors for international family members. Immediate family includes:

• Spouse or common-law partner
• Dependent children under the age of 22 (biological or adopted)
• Parents and grandparents

In some instances, extended family members can also benefit from the Family Sponsorship Program. Canada allows sponsorship of a sibling, niece, or nephew, provided the sponsor has no other family members living in Canada. There are also specific regulations related to orphaned family members under the age of 18 that may allow for special circumstance family sponsorship to Canada.

Eligibility for Family Sponsorship Canada: Who Can Sponsor

To be eligible to act as a family sponsor, you must:

• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident over the age of 18
• Be currently living in Canada or planning on returning once your family sponsorship application is approved
• Be willing and able to provide financial support to the sponsored family member if required
• Not be receiving any type of social assistance (other than disability)

Several factors can prevent a Canadian citizen or permanent resident from sponsoring a family member; non-payment of child support or spousal support, certain criminal convictions, and failing to meet the obligation of a sponsored family member in the past.

Income Requirements for Family Sponsorship in Canada

In some cases, the family sponsor will need to demonstrate that they meet Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirements; this is true when sponsoring parents, grandparents, orphaned family members, and other extended family members. Minimum Necessary Income will vary depending on the family size, and applicants must prove that they meet the required income level for three consecutive years.

MNI does not apply when sponsoring a spouse, common-law partner, or dependent children (provided these children do not have their own families).

Additionally, a sponsor must agree to and sign a sponsorship “undertaking.” This document stipulates that the sponsor is legally and financially responsible for any government social assistance benefits paid to a sponsored family member for a period of up to 20 years.